EP1210942B1 - Microparticules - Google Patents

Microparticules Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1210942B1
EP1210942B1 EP02075905A EP02075905A EP1210942B1 EP 1210942 B1 EP1210942 B1 EP 1210942B1 EP 02075905 A EP02075905 A EP 02075905A EP 02075905 A EP02075905 A EP 02075905A EP 1210942 B1 EP1210942 B1 EP 1210942B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
microparticles
solvent
active agent
phase
water
Prior art date
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EP02075905A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1210942A3 (fr
EP1210942A2 (fr
Inventor
Michael E. Rickey
J. Michael Ramstack
Danny H. Lewis
Jean Louis Mesens
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Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Alkermes Inc
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Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Alkermes Inc
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Priority claimed from EP97923063A external-priority patent/EP0904063B1/fr
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Publication of EP1210942A3 publication Critical patent/EP1210942A3/fr
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/14—Particulate form, e.g. powders, Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles
    • A61K9/16—Agglomerates; Granulates; Microbeadlets ; Microspheres; Pellets; Solid products obtained by spray drying, spray freeze drying, spray congealing,(multiple) emulsion solvent evaporation or extraction
    • A61K9/1605—Excipients; Inactive ingredients
    • A61K9/1629—Organic macromolecular compounds
    • A61K9/1641—Organic macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, poloxamers
    • A61K9/1647—Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/14—Particulate form, e.g. powders, Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles
    • A61K9/16—Agglomerates; Granulates; Microbeadlets ; Microspheres; Pellets; Solid products obtained by spray drying, spray freeze drying, spray congealing,(multiple) emulsion solvent evaporation or extraction
    • A61K9/1682—Processes
    • A61K9/1694—Processes resulting in granules or microspheres of the matrix type containing more than 5% of excipient
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J13/00—Colloid chemistry, e.g. the production of colloidal materials or their solutions, not otherwise provided for; Making microcapsules or microballoons
    • B01J13/02—Making microcapsules or microballoons

Definitions

  • This invention relates to microparticles having an improved storage stability. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising controlled-release microparticles having improved shelf-life, said microparticles comprising active agents encapsulated within a polymeric matrix.
  • microparticles e.g. particles having a mean size in the nanometer to millimeter range, particularly in the range 1 to 500 ⁇ m, especially 25 to 180 ⁇ m
  • a biologically active or pharmaceutically active agent within a biocompatible, biodegradable, wall-forming material (e.g. a polymer) to provide sustained or delayed release of drugs or other active agents.
  • the material to be encapsulated is generally dissolved, dispersed, or emulsified, using known mixing techniques, in a solvent containing the wall-forming material. Solvent is then removed from the microparticles and thereafter the microparticle product is obtained.
  • halogenated hydrocarbons particularly chloroform or methylene chloride, which act as solvents for both the active agent and the encapsulating polymer.
  • biodegradable, biocompatible microparticles comprising a biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric binder and a biologically active agent, wherein a blend of at least two substantially non-toxic solvents, free of halogenated hydrocarbons, was used to dissolve both the agent and the polymer.
  • This solvent blend was dispersed in an aqueous solution to form an emulsion that was then added to an aqueous extraction medium which preferably contained at least one of the solvents of the blend, whereby the rate of extraction of each solvent was controlled, whereupon biodegradable, biocompatible microparticles containing the biologically active agent were formed.
  • WO95/13799 describes microparticles comprising a biodegradable matrix and a biologically active agent. Residual solvent levels are however, very high in these particles.
  • EP-A-585151 concerns the formulation of LHRH in microparticles but employs halogenated solvents to achieve this.
  • Risperidone encapsulated in microparticles prepared using a benzyl alcohol and ethyl acetate solvent system is also described in WO95/13814.
  • the rate of product degradation can be reduced by reducing the level of residual processing solvent. It is thought that one degradation process that was occurring, resulted, at least in part, from hydrolysis of the polymeric matrix, and that the rate of hydrolysis was directly influenced by the level of residual processing solvent (e.g. benzyl alcohol) in the product. By reducing the level of residual solvent in the microparticles, the rate of degradation is reduced, thereby increasing shelf-life.
  • residual processing solvent e.g. benzyl alcohol
  • the invention provides microparticles of a biodegradable biocompatible polymeric matrix containing an active agent and an organic solvent free from halogenated hydrocarbons, said organic solvent being present in said microparticles at 2% or less of the total weight of said microparticles wherein the active agent is selected from the group of risperidone, 9-hydroxy-risperidone, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
  • the invention provides microparticles as hereinbefore defined, said microparticles being prepared by a process comprising either:
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising microparticles according to the invention, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
  • the invention provides the use of microparticles of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for use in a method of diagnosis or therapy.
  • the initial content of organic solvent in the particles will generally be above 3.5%, more generally above 4.0% of the total weight of the particles.
  • the invention will reduce this content to less than 2%, preferably to less than 1.5% and most preferably less than 1%.
  • the organic solvent in question preferably contains a hydrophobic group containing at least 5 carbons, e.g. an aryl group such as a naphthyl or more especially a phenyl group.
  • the organic solvent in the particles will generally be present as a result of a particle formation process where the particles have been produced from a solution of the matrix forming polymer material in the organic solvent or in a solvent mixture or blend containing the organic solvent.
  • the organic solvent will be a non-halogenated solvent and particularly preferably will be an at least partially water-miscible solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. benzyl alcohol), a linear or cyclic ether, a ketone or an ester (e.g. ethyl acetate).
  • any other solvent in the mixture or blend will preferably be a non-halogenated solvent and particularly preferably will be an at least partially water-miscible solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. a C 1-4 alkanol such as ethanol), a linear or cyclic ether, a ketone or an ester.
  • an alcohol e.g. a C 1-4 alkanol such as ethanol
  • a linear or cyclic ether e.g. a linear or cyclic ether
  • ketone e.g. a ketone or an ester.
  • the water-miscible solvent in the aqueous solvent system (ie. the washing fluid) will likewise preferably be a non-halogenated solvent and particularly preferably will be an at least partially water-miscible solvent such as an alcohol (e.g. a C 1-4 alkanol such as ethanol), a linear or cyclic ether, a ketone or an ester.
  • an alcohol e.g. a C 1-4 alkanol such as ethanol
  • a linear or cyclic ether e.g. a linear or cyclic ether
  • ketone e.g. a ketone
  • the contacting with the aqueous solvent system may be effected in one or more stages, e.g. a single contact or a series of washes, optionally with differently constituted aqueous solvent systems.
  • the total contact time is for a period of ten minutes to several hours, e.g. 1 to 48 hours.
  • the matrix forming polymer material should of course have sufficiently limited solubility in the aqueous solvent system used that the particles do not dissolve completely in the solvent system during the contact period.
  • the particles of the invention are prepared by producing a two phase liquid system in which a first discontinuous liquid phase is present in a second continuous liquid phase.
  • the first liquid phase comprises the matrix forming polymer dissolved in a first solvent system in which the active agent is dissolved or dispersed.
  • the first solvent system comprises the organic solvent optionally and preferably together with one or more co-solvents, the various solvents preferably being alcohols, ethers, esters or ketones and preferably not including any halogenated solvents.
  • one of the solvents in the first solvent system has a hydrophilic group, e.g. an aryl group such as a phenyl group; particularly preferably it is benzyl alcohol.
  • a second solvent with a higher water solubility e.g. ethyl acetate
  • the second liquid phase preferably comprises one or more solvents, such as water, and is preferably such that the polymer is less soluble therein than in the first solvent system but such that the solvents of the first solvent system are at least partially soluble therein so allowing particles to form by diffusion of solvent from the first liquid phase into the second liquid phase.
  • the second liquid phase advantageously may contain a hydrocolloid or a surfactant.
  • the process may be carried out using pre-formed particles or, more preferably, may additionally comprise the production of the particles, conveniently using a liquid phase containing as a solvent or co-solvent the organic solvent referred to above as well as the matrix forming polymer and the active agent.
  • Particle formation may then be effected for example by spray drying or, more preferably, by forming an emulsion using a second liquid phase, e.g. an aqueous phase, with the first liquid phase being discontinuous and the second being continuous, i.e. as described above.
  • the present invention provides an improved pharmaceutical composition in microparticle form designed for the controlled release of an effective amount of a drug over an extended period of time, whereby the composition exhibits increased shelf-life.
  • the useful shelf-life can be increased to about two or more years for microparticles of the present invention.
  • the process for preparing microparticles of the present invention comprises:
  • a quench step is additionally performed between steps C) and D).
  • the aqueous second phase can be an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic colloid or a surfactant.
  • the aqueous second phase can be water.
  • the process for preparing microparticles of the present invention comprises: preparing a first discontinuous phase (also referred to herein as an "oil phase” or an “organic phase”) containing from about 5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent solids of which from about 5 to about 95 weight percent is a solution of biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric encapsulating binder and incorporating from about 5 to about 95 weight percent, as based on polymeric binder, of an active agent in a solvent blend, the blend comprising first and second mutually miscible co-solvents, each having a solubility in water of from about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent at 20°C; forming an emulsion containing 1 part by weight of the first phase in from 1 to 10 parts by weight of an emulsion process medium whereby to form microdroplets of the discontinuous first phase composition in a continuous or "aqueous" second phase process medium; adding the combined first and second phases to an aqueous extraction quench liquid at a level of from about 0.1 to
  • the level of residual solvent in the microparticles is preferably reduced to about 2% by weight of the microparticles.
  • the process for preparing microparticles of the present invention comprises:
  • the process for preparing microparticles of the invention comprises:
  • the first phase may be prepared by dissolving a biologically active agent in a solution of the polymer dissolved in a solvent free from halogenated hydrocarbons and preparing a dispersion comprising the active agent in the polymer solution or preparing an emulsion comprising the active agent in the polymer solution.
  • the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising biodegradable and biocompatible microparticles in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the microparticles comprise a polymeric encapsulating binder having dispersed or dissolved therein an active agent, and less than about 2% by weight residual solvent, wherein the residual solvent is residual derived from a solvent employed in the preparation of the microparticles.
  • the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising biodegradable and biocompatible microparticles, ranging in size from about 25 to about 180 microns, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the microparticles comprise a copolymer of poly(glycolic acid) and poly(d,l-lactic acid) wherein the molar ratio of lactide to glycolide is in the range of from about 85:15 to about 50:50 and having dispersed or dissolved therein from about 35 to about 40% of an active agent comprising risperidone or 9-hydroxy-risperidone, and from about 0.5 to about 1.5% by weight of benzyl alcohol.
  • An advantage of the process for preparing microparticles of the present invention is that it can be used to produce, inter alia, a biodegradable, biocompatible system that can be injected into a patient.
  • the process makes it possible to mix microparticles containing different drugs, to produce microparticles free from halogenated hydrocarbon residues, and to program the release to give faster or slower rates of drug release as needed (ie. it is possible to achieve a multiphasic release pattern).
  • using the process one achieves improved shelf-life stability resulting from lowered residual solvent in the finished product.
  • An advantage of the products of the present invention is that durations of action ranging from 7 to more than 200 days, e.g. from 14 to 100 days can be obtained, depending upon the type of microparticle selected.
  • the microparticles may be designed to afford treatment to patients during duration of action periods of 14 to 60 days, 20 to 60 days, 30 to 60 days and 60 to 100 days.
  • a 90 day duration of action period is considered to be particularly advantageous.
  • the duration of action can be controlled by manipulation of the polymer composition, polymer:drug ratio, microparticle size, and concentration of residual solvent remaining in the microparticle after treatment.
  • microparticles of the present invention Another important advantage of the microparticles of the present invention is that practically all of the active agent is delivered to the patient because the polymer used in the method of the present invention is biodegradable, thereby permitting all of the entrapped active agent to be released into the patient.
  • Still another important advantage of the microparticles of the present invention is that residual solvent(s) in the finished microparticle can be reduced by approximately an order of magnitude whereby the useful shelf-life of the product can be increased from about six months for product made without the washing (ie. contacting) step of the present invention to about two or more years for particles made with the washing step.
  • a further advantage of the process for preparing microparticles of the present invention is that it may prove beneficial in controlling the release characteristics of active agent in vivo or reducing an undesirable or possibly harmful solvent.
  • microparticles or “microspheres” is meant solid particles that contain an active agent dispersed or dissolved within a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer that serves as the matrix of the particle.
  • limited water solubility is meant having a solubility in water in the range of from about 0.1 to about 25 wt. % at 20°C.
  • halogenated hydrocarbons is meant halogenated organic solvents, e.g.
  • C 1 -C 4 halogenated alkanes for example methylene chloride, chloroform, methyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride, ethylene chloride, 2,2,2-trichloroethane, and the like.
  • biodegradable is meant a material that should degrade by bodily processes to products readily disposable by the body and should not accumulate harmfully in the body. The products of the biodegradation should also be biocompatible with the body.
  • biocompatible it is meant that the material concerned is not toxic to the human body, is pharmaceutically acceptable, is not carcinogenic, and does not significantly induce inflammation in body tissues.
  • weight % or “% by weight” is meant parts by weight per total weight of microparticle. For example, 10 wt. % agent would mean 10 parts agent by weight and 90 parts polymer by weight. Unless otherwise specified, percentages referred to herein are by weight unless it is clear from the context that this is not the case.
  • a solvent free from halogenated hydrocarbons may be used to produce biodegradable, biocompatible microparticles comprising at least one biologically active agent.
  • a particularly preferred solvent is a solvent blend comprising at least two solvents.
  • a first solvent component of the solvent blend is preferably a poor solvent for the active agent but a good solvent for the biodegradable, biocompatible polymer.
  • a second solvent component of the solvent blend is preferably a good solvent for the active agent.
  • the active agent is dissolved or dispersed in the solvent.
  • Polymer matrix material is added to the agent-containing medium in an amount relative to the active agent that provides a product having the desired loading of active agent.
  • all of the ingredients of the microparticle product can be blended in the solvent blend medium together.
  • the preferred solvent system is a blend of at least two solvents.
  • the solvents in the solvent blend are preferably:
  • An ideal solvent blend for encapsulation of an active agent should have a high solubility for the polymeric encapsulating agent of generally at least about 5 weight percent and, preferably, at least about 20 weight percent at 20°C.
  • the upper limit of solubility is not critical, but if over about 50 weight percent of the solution is encapsulating polymer, the solution may become too viscous to handle effectively and conveniently. This is, of course, dependent on the nature of the encapsulating polymer and its molecular weight.
  • the solvent system although substantially immiscible with the continuous phase process medium and any quenching liquid, which usually are water or water-based, preferably has a limited solubility therein. If the solvent system were infinitely soluble in the process medium, microparticles would be unable to form during the emulsion phase; if the solubility of the solvent system in an extractive quenching medium were too low, however, large quantities of quenching medium would be needed. Generally, solvent solubilities of from about 0.1 to about 25% in the process medium and any quench medium are acceptable for use herein. It will often be advantageous for the quench medium, if employed, to contain from about 70 to about 20 weight percent of the saturation point of the first solvent, i.e. the solvent of higher solubility in the quench medium, to control the rate of loss of the first solvent from the microparticles into the quench medium.
  • a component of the solvent blend of the present invention includes boiling point (i.e. the ease with which the solvents can be evaporated, if desired, to form finished product) and specific gravity (tendency of the discontinuous or oil phase to float during emulsifying and quenching). Finally, the solvent system should have low toxicity.
  • the solvent blend composition of two components will contain from about 25 to about 75 weight percent of the first solvent, and, correspondingly, from about 75 to about 25 weight percent of the second solvent.
  • the solvent blend of the present invention is preferably a blend of at least two of the following: an ester, an alcohol, and a ketone.
  • Preferred esters are of the structure R 1 COOR 2 where R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isomers thereof.
  • the most preferred ester for use as one component of the solvent blend employed in the practice of the present invention is ethyl acetate.
  • Preferred alcohols are of the structure R 3 CH 2 OH where R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms. It is more preferred that R 3 be aryl.
  • the most preferred alcohol for use as one component of the solvent blend employed in the practice of the present invention is benzyl alcohol.
  • Preferred ketones are of the structure R 4 COR 5 where R 4 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isomers thereof and R 5 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, i.e. ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isomers thereof.
  • the most preferred ketone for use as one component of the solvent blend employed in the practice of the present invention is methyl ethyl ketone.
  • the polymer matrix material of the microparticles of the present invention is biocompatible and biodegradable.
  • the matrix material should be biodegradable in the sense that it should degrade by bodily processes to products readily disposable by the body and should not accumulate in the body.
  • the products of the biodegradation should also be biocompatible with the body, as should any residual solvent that may remain in the microparticles.
  • polymer matrix materials include poly(glycolic acid), poly(d,l-lactic acid), poly(l-lactic acid), copolymers of the foregoing, and the like.
  • Various commercially available poly (lactide-co-glycolide) materials may be used in the method of the present invention.
  • poly (d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) is commercially available from Medisorb Technologies International L.P. e.g. a 50:50 poly (d,1 lactic co-glycolic acid) known as MEDISORB® 50:50 DL. This product has a mole percent composition of 50% lactide and 50% glycolide.
  • Suitable commercially available products are MEDISORB® 65:35 DL, 75:25 DL, 85:15 DL and poly(d,l-lactic acid) (d,l-PLA).
  • Poly(lactide-co-glycolides) are also commercially available from Boehringer Ingelheim, e.g. PLGA 50:50 (Resomer® RG 502), PLGA 75:25 (Resomer® RG 752) and d,l-PLA (Resomer® RG 206), and from Birmingham Polymers. These copolymers are available in a wide range of molecular weights and ratios of lactic acid to glycolic acid.
  • the most preferred polymer for use in the practice of this invention is the copolymer, poly(d,l-lactide-coglycolide). It is preferred that the molar ratio of lactide to glycolide in such a copolymer be in the range of from about 85:15 to about 35:65, more especially about 75:25 to about 50:50, e.g. 85:15, 75:25, 65:35 or 50:50.
  • the problem addressed by the present invention is the undesirably short shelf-life engendered by the action of an active agent on the matrix polymer where the solvent, or at least one of the solvents of the solvent blend, used in making the microparticles remains in sufficient concentration in the finished product to exacerbate degrading interaction between the active agent and the polymer.
  • an active agent having a basic moiety, such as risperidone and a matrix polymer that has a group or linkage susceptible to base-catalysed hydrolysis.
  • the molecular weight of the polymeric matrix material is of some importance.
  • the molecular weight should be high enough to permit the formation of satisfactory polymer coatings, i.e. the polymer should be a good film former.
  • a satisfactory molecular weight is in the range of 5,000 to 500,000 daltons, preferably 50,000 to 400,000, more preferably 100,000 to 300,000, especially 100,000 to 200,000 and particularly about 150,000 daltons.
  • the molecular weight of a polymer is also important from the point of view of its influence upon the biodegradation rate of the polymer.
  • the polymer should remain intact until all of the drug is released from the microparticles and then degrade.
  • the drug can also be released from the microparticles as the polymeric excipient bioerodes.
  • a microparticle formulation can be made in which the resulting microparticles exhibit both diffusional release and biodegradation release properties. This is useful in affording multiphasic release patterns.
  • removal of residual solvent by the wash step of the present invention may have an effect upon the drug release rate, which may be either detrimental or beneficial, depending upon the circumstances.
  • the glass transition temperature may be seen to decrease, thereby possibly accelerating the release rate of the active agent. If, in a given situation, a faster release rate is desirable, this result will be beneficial. If, however, the rate becomes fast enough to negatively affect the desired action of the active agent with regard to the patient, it will be incumbent upon the formulator to employ means for alleviating the accelerated release rate.
  • Such modifications of the process when required, are within the capability of those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts and can be realized without undue experimentation.
  • the formulation of the present invention contains an active agent dispersed in the microparticle polymetric matrix material.
  • the amount of such agent incorporated in the microparticles usually ranges from about 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, preferably 30 to 50 wt. %, more preferably 35 to 40 wt.%.
  • weight % is meant weight of agent as a percentage of the total weight of the microparticles.
  • 10 wt. % agent may mean 10 parts agent and 90 parts polymer, by weight.
  • the encapsulating polymer should be essentially 100% dissolved in the solvent or solvent blend at the time the solution is emulsified.
  • the active agent can be dispersed or dissolved in the solvent or solvent blend at the time it is added to the continuous phase process medium.
  • the content of normally solid material (active agent plus encapsulating polymer) in the solvent blend at the time it is first emulsified should be at least 5 weight percent and preferably at least 20 weight percent. Minimizing solvent in the discontinuous or oil phase provides a better quality microparticle and requires less extraction medium.
  • microparticles can be mixed by size or by type so as to provide for the delivery of active agent to the patient in a multiphasic manner and/or in a manner that provides different active agents to the patient at different times, or a mixture of active agents at the same time.
  • active agent for example, secondary antibiotics, vaccines, or any desired active agent, either in microparticle form or in conventional, unencapsulated form can be blended with a primary active agent and provided to the patient.
  • the mixture of ingredients in the discontinuous or oil phase solvent system is emulsified in a continuous-phase processing medium; the continuous phase medium being such that a dispersion of microparticles containing the indicated ingredients is formed in the continuous-phase medium.
  • the continuous phase process medium preferably contains 1 to 8 weight percent ethyl acetate and 1 to 4 weight percent benzyl alcohol.
  • a surfactant or a hydrophilic colloid is added to the continuous phase processing medium to prevent the solvent microdroplets from agglomerating and to control the size of the solvent microdroplets in the emulsion.
  • examples of compounds that can be used as surfactants or hydrophilic colloids include, but are not limited to, poly(vinyl alcohol), carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), Tween ® 80, Tween ® 20, and the like.
  • the concentration of surfactant or hydrophilic colloid in the process medium should be sufficient to stabilize the emulsion and will affect the final size of the microparticles.
  • concentration of the surfactant or hydrophilic colloid in the process medium will be from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight based on the process medium, depending upon the surfactant or hydrophilic colloid, the discontinuous or oil phase solvent system, and the processing medium used.
  • a preferred dispersing medium combination is a 0.1 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 0.5 to 2 wt.%, solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) in water.
  • the emulsion can be formed by mechanical agitation of the mixed phases or by adding small drops of the discontinuous phase that contains active agent and wall forming material to the continuous phase processing medium.
  • the temperature during the formation of the emulsion is not especially critical, but can influence the size and quality of the microparticles and the solubility of the active agent in the continuous phase. Of course, it is desirable to have as little of the active agent in the continuous phase as possible.
  • the temperature must not be too low or the solvent and processing medium may be solid or become too viscous for practical purposes. On the other hand, it must not be so high that the processing medium will evaporate or that the liquid processing medium will not be maintained.
  • the temperature of the emulsion cannot be so high that the stability of the particular active agent being incorporated in the microparticles is adversely affected. Accordingly, the dispersion process can be conducted at any temperature that maintains stable operating conditions, preferably from about 20°C to about 60°C, depending upon the active agent and excipient selected.
  • an organic or oil (discontinuous) phase and an aqueous phase are combined.
  • the organic and aqueous phases are largely or substantially immiscible, with the aqueous phase constituting the continuous phase of the emulsion.
  • the organic phase includes the active agent as well as the wall forming polymer, i.e. the polymeric matrix material.
  • the organic phase is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the active agent(s) in the organic solvent system of the present invention.
  • the organic phase and the aqueous phase are preferably combined under the influence of mixing means, preferably a static mixer.
  • the combined organic and aqueous phases are pumped through a static mixer to form an emulsion comprising microparticles containing active agent encapsulated in polymeric matrix material, and then into a large volume of quench liquid to obtain microparticles containing the active agent encapsulated in the polymeric matrix material.
  • the microparticles are then stirred in a tank containing a quench solution in order to remove most of the organic solvent from the microparticles, resulting in the formation of hardened microparticles.
  • An especially preferred method of mixing with a static mixer is disclosed by Ramstack et al. in WO95/13799.
  • One advantage of using a static mixer is that accurate and reliable scaling from laboratory to commercial batch sizes can be done while achieving a narrow and well defined size distribution of microparticles containing biologically or pharmaceutically active agents.
  • a further advantage of this method is that the same equipment can be used to form microparticles containing active agents of a well defined size distribution for varying batch sizes.
  • static mixers are low maintenance and less spacious than dynamic mixers, and they have low energy demands and comparatively low investment costs.
  • the continuous-phase processing medium is diluted and much of the solvent in the microparticles is removed by extraction.
  • the microparticles can be suspended in the same continuous-phase processing medium used during emulsification, with or without hydrophilic colloid or surfactant, or in another liquid.
  • the extraction medium removes a significant portion of the solvent from the microparticles, but does not dissolve them.
  • the extraction medium containing dissolved solvent can, optionally, be removed and replaced with fresh extraction medium.
  • the microparticles can be isolated as stated above, and then may, if desired, be dried by exposure to air or by other conventional drying techniques, such as, vacuum drying, drying over a desiccant, or the like. This process is very efficient in encapsulating an active agent since core loadings of up to about 80 wt. %, preferably up to about 50 wt. can be obtained.
  • one of the solvents in the solvent blend will be extracted in the quench step more quickly than the other solvent, e.g. the first solvent, ethyl acetate, in the case of the preferred ethyl acetate/benzyl alcohol blend.
  • the second solvent here, benzyl alcohol
  • it is not easily removed by exposure of the microparticles to air or other conventional evaporative means.
  • some of the more rapidly extracted solvent can be added to the quench extraction medium prior to addition of the emulsion.
  • the concentration of the more-rapidly-extracted solvent in the quench extraction medium generally is from about 20 to about 70% of the saturation point of the solvent in the medium at the temperature to be used for the extraction.
  • Both temperature and amount of solvent spike can be adjusted to contribute beneficially to the final desired product characteristics, i.e. highly porous, quick releasing microparticles, or slow releasing microparticles having a low porosity.
  • the quench liquid can be plain water, a water solution, or other suitable liquid, the volume, amount, and type of which depends on the solvents used in the emulsion phase.
  • the quench liquid is preferably water.
  • the quench liquid volume is on the order of 10 times the saturated volume (i.e. 10 times the quench volume needed to absorb completely the volume of solvent in the emulsion).
  • quench volume can vary from about 2 to about 20 times the saturated volume.
  • This ratio can vary from about 0.1 to about 10 liters of quench volume per gram of microparticles produced. Processes with a ratio of less than about 1 liter per gram are preferred.
  • the ethyl acetate content of the quench liquid appears to affect the residual solvent level in the product microparticles.
  • the benzyl alcohol residuals in the microparticles are high while ethyl acetate may be almost non-detectable.
  • more ethyl acetate may be retained by the microparticles than benzyl alcohol.
  • about 2-4 weight percent ethyl acetate in the quench liquid is optimal at 0-10°C.
  • the microparticles are isolated from the aqueous quench solution by any convenient means of separation - the fluid can be decanted from the microparticles or the microparticle suspension can be filtered, for example, a sieve column can be used. Various other combinations of separation techniques can be used, if desired. Filtration is preferred.
  • the filtered microparticles are then subjected to the washing step of the present invention in order to reduce still further the level of residual solvent(s) therein, preferably to a level in the range of from about 0.2 to 2.0%.
  • residual benzyl alcohol levels are still generally in the 4-8% range without the washing step of the present invention.
  • This level of residual solvent in the microparticles appears to be sufficient to accelerate the degradation process, thereby reducing shelf-life. Degradation of the microparticles can occur, for example, by undesired hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable linkages of a matrix polymer by a basic active agent.
  • the washing step(s) of the present invention are employed to reduce the residual benzyl alcohol or other solvent content in the microparticles to retard the degradation process.
  • the wash solution comprises either water alone or, preferably, water and a solvent miscible therewith that is also a good solvent for the residual solvent in the microparticles.
  • the residual solvent is benzyl alcohol
  • C 1 -C 4 aliphatic alcohols are preferred for use in the wash solution. These alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, and isomers of the foregoing. The most preferred alcohol is ethanol.
  • the concentration of the alcohol in the wash solution can vary depending upon the particular circumstances. Generally, the alcohol will comprise less than 50% by weight with a lower limit of about 5%. Thus, a preferred range for the alcohol concentration with normally be from about 5% to about 50% by weight. More preferably, the concentration will lie in the range of from about 15% to about 30%.
  • the temperature of the wash solution is also important to the efficiency of the washing step. Generally, increasing the temperature will decrease the time needed for the wash to lower the remaining residual content to the desired level.
  • too high a temperature can be detrimental in that the softening temperature of the matrix polymer of the microparticles may be approached or exceeded, thereby causing clumping or stickiness.
  • too low a temperature may cause the matrix material to become too hard, thereby retarding the rate at which the residuals can be extracted, whereby the process may become prohibitively expensive.
  • a temperature range of from about 5°C to about 40°C is convenient and effective.
  • the temperature employed will bracket room temperature, i.e. from about 10°C to about 30°C.
  • water alone is used as the wash solvent, it will be employed at an elevated temperature, i.e. above room temperature, preferably in a range of from about 25°C to about 40°C, most preferably, about 37°C.
  • the microparticles will be separated from the wash solution by well-known separation means, e.g. filtration, decantation, centrifugation, and the like. Filtration is preferred.
  • the microparticles can, if desired, be fully or partially dried employing conventional drying means at temperatures substantially similar to those of the previous wash solution.
  • drying means at temperatures substantially similar to those of the previous wash solution.
  • the use of dry compressed air at temperatures ranging from about 10°C to about 30°C has been found especially useful and convenient and is preferred.
  • the microparticle product is usually made up of particles of a spherical shape, although sometimes the microparticles may be irregularly shaped.
  • the microparticles can vary in size, ranging from submicron to millimeter diameters.
  • microparticles of 1-500 microns, more preferably, 25-180 microns, are prepared, whereby administration of the microparticles to a patient can be carried out with a standard gauge needle.
  • the drug-loaded microparticles are dispensed to patients in a single administration, releasing the drug in a constant or pulsed manner into the patient and eliminating the need for repetitive injections.
  • the active agent bearing microparticles are obtained and stored as a dry material. Prior to administration to a patient, the dry microparticles can be suspended in an acceptable pharmaceutical liquid vehicle, such as a 2.5 wt. % solution of carboxymethyl cellulose, whereupon the suspension is injected into the body.
  • an acceptable pharmaceutical liquid vehicle such as a 2.5 wt. % solution of carboxymethyl cellulose
  • microparticles can be mixed by size or by type so as to provide for the delivery of active agent to the patient in a multiphasic manner and/or in a manner that provides different active agents to the patient at different times, or a mixture of active agents at the same time.
  • active agent for example, secondary antibiotics, vaccines, or any desired active agent, either in microparticle form or in conventional, unencapsulated form can be blended with a primary active agent and provided to the patient.
  • the additional washing step(s) of the present invention may prove beneficial in ways, such as, controlling the release characteristics of active agent in vivo or reducing an undesirable or possibly harmful solvent.
  • aqueous phase comprises 90.0 g of polyvinyl alcohol, 8910 g of water, 646.4 g of ethyl acetate, and 298.3 g of benzyl alcohol.
  • the organic and aqueous phases are pumped through a static mixer to form an emulsion.
  • the resulting emulsion is passed into a quench liquid comprising 17 kg of water, 4487.8 g of ethyl acetate, 371.0 g of sodium carbonate, and 294.0 g of sodium bicarbonate.
  • a quench liquid comprising 17 kg of water, 4487.8 g of ethyl acetate, 371.0 g of sodium carbonate, and 294.0 g of sodium bicarbonate.
  • the resulting microspheres are then filtered and washed with a first wash of 11.25 kg of ethanol and 33.75 kg of water for 2 hours at 10°C.
  • the microspheres are then filtered and washed with a solution of 11.25 kg of ethanol and 33.75 kg of water for 6 hours at 25°C.
  • a third wash of 756 g of citric acid, 482 g of sodium phosphate, and 45.0 kg of water is then applied at 25°C for one hour to the filtered product.
  • a sample of risperidone-loaded microspheres was subjected to a series of wash experiments to determine the impact on finished product characteristics and identify favourable wash conditions.
  • the sample comprised risperidone encapsulated in a 75:25 Medisorb ® lactide:glycolide copolymer.
  • the drug content was 36.8% by weight, and the benzyl alcohol level was about 5.2% by weight prior to the washing experiments.
  • the microspheres ware transferred into the wash media, samples were withdrawn at selected time periods and vacuum dried.
  • Figure 1 shows the reduction in benzyl alcohol levels in the finished product as a function of ethanol concentrations (5%; 15%; 20%; and 25%) in the ethanol:water wash. Higher ethanol levels afforded lower residual benzyl alcohol in the finished product.
  • Figure 2 shows that in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 liters of solution per gram of microspheres, the concentration of microspheres in the wash step does not influence the level of residual benzyl alcohol (BA) in the finished product.
  • BA residual benzyl alcohol
  • Figure 3 shows the impact of temperature of the wash step on the level of residual benzyl alcohol in the finished product.
  • Table 1 shows an increase in glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the finished microspheres as the wash time increases, and as the concentration of ethanol increases and the corresponding concentration of benzyl alcohol decreases.
  • Table 1 Effect of Ethanol Wash Time and Concentration on Glass Transition Temperature, T g Wash Time (Hours) 5% Ethanol 15% Ethanol 20% Ethanol 25% Ethanol 0.75 24.2°C 26.5°C 30.1°C 30.8°C 3 26.5°C 26.5°C 32.5°C 35.1°C 24 30.9°C 28.7°C 37.3°C 40.1°C
  • Risperidone-loaded microspheres with various levels of benzyl alcohol were placed in stability studies at room temperature.
  • Figure 4 demonstrates that the degradation process as measured by the rate of hydrolysis of the biodegradable, biocompatible polymer is strongly influenced by the level of residual solvent in the finished product.
  • the molecular weight decay constant was plotted versus residual benzyl alcohol level for ten different microsphere samples.

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  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
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  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
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  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
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  • Manufacturing Of Micro-Capsules (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Antibodies Or Antigens For Use As Internal Diagnostic Agents (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Microparticules d'une matrice polymère biocompatible biodégradable contenant un agent actif et un solvant organique exempt d'hydrocarbures halogénés, ledit solvant organique résiduel étant présent dans lesdites micro-particules à un taux de 2 % ou moins du poids total desdites microparticules, où l'agent actif est choisi parmi le groupe constitué de la rispéridone, de la 9-hydroxyrispéridone, et de leurs sels pharmaceutiquement acceptables.
  2. Microparticules selon la revendication 1, dans lesquelles l'agent actif est la rispéridone.
  3. Microparticules selon la revendication 1, dans lesquelles l'agent actif est la 9-hydroxy-rispéridone.
  4. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, préparées par un procédé comprenant soit:
    (a) la mise en contact desdites microparticules avec de l'eau et le maintien de ladite eau à une température dans la plage de 25°C à 40°C, durant au moins une partie de la période pendant laquelle elle est en contact avec lesdites microparticules,
    soit :
    (b) la mise en contact desdites microparticules avec un système de solvant aqueux comprenant de l'eau et un solvant miscible à l'eau pour ledit solvant organique.
  5. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, où les microparticules présentent un diamètre s'échelonnant entre 25 et 180 microns.
  6. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lesquelles ladite matrice polymère est un copolymère de l'acide polyglycolique et de l'acide poly(d,1-lactique).
  7. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lesquelles ledit solvant organique résiduel comprend de l'alcool benzylique présent dans la plage de 0,5 à 1,5 % en poids.
  8. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lesquelles ledit solvant organique est un mélange d'au moins deux solvants.
  9. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lesquelles ledit solvant organique est un mélange d'acétate d'éthyle et d'alcool benzylique.
  10. Microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, présentant un diamètre. s'échelonnant dans la plage de 25 à 180 microns, comprenant : un copolymère de l'acide polyglycolique et de l'acide poly(d,1-lactique), où le rapport molaire entre le lactide et le glycolide est dans la plage de 85:15 à 50:50, et comprenant, à l'état dispersé ou dissous, de 35 à 40 % en poids d'un agent actif choisi parmi la rispéridone, la 9-hydroxyrispéridone et leurs sels pharmaceutiquement acceptables, et de 0,5 à 1,5 % en poids d'alcool bénzylique.
  11. Composition pharmaceutique comprenant des microparticules selon l'une quelconque des revendications, 1 à 10, conjointement avec au moins un support ou un excipient pharmaceutiquement acceptable.
  12. Utilisation de microparticules selon les revendications 1 à 10, pour la fabrication d'un médicament destiné à être utilisé dans une méthode de diagnostic ou de thérapie.
  13. Utilisation d'une composition pharmaceutique selon la revendication 11, pour la fabrication d'un médicament destiné à être utilisé dans une méthode de diagnostic ou de thérapie.
EP02075905A 1996-05-07 1997-05-06 Microparticules Revoked EP1210942B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US64391996A 1996-05-07 1996-05-07
US643919 1996-05-07
EP97923063A EP0904063B1 (fr) 1996-05-07 1997-05-06 Procedé pour la préparation des microparticules

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97923063A Division EP0904063B1 (fr) 1996-05-07 1997-05-06 Procedé pour la préparation des microparticules

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EP1210942A2 EP1210942A2 (fr) 2002-06-05
EP1210942A3 EP1210942A3 (fr) 2004-05-26
EP1210942B1 true EP1210942B1 (fr) 2007-03-21

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EP (1) EP1210942B1 (fr)
AT (2) ATE223206T1 (fr)
CY (1) CY2318B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE69737515T2 (fr)
DK (2) DK1210942T3 (fr)
ES (2) ES2284776T3 (fr)
HK (2) HK1016884A1 (fr)
MY (1) MY118174A (fr)
PT (2) PT1210942E (fr)
SI (2) SI0904063T1 (fr)
TR (1) TR199802258T2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US8263131B2 (en) 2000-12-22 2012-09-11 Baxter International Inc. Method for treating infectious organisms normally considered to be resistant to an antimicrobial drug
US8426467B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2013-04-23 Baxter International Inc. Colored esmolol concentrate
US8722736B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2014-05-13 Baxter International Inc. Multi-dose concentrate esmolol with benzyl alcohol

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US8067032B2 (en) 2000-12-22 2011-11-29 Baxter International Inc. Method for preparing submicron particles of antineoplastic agents
US9700866B2 (en) 2000-12-22 2017-07-11 Baxter International Inc. Surfactant systems for delivery of organic compounds
US20060003012A9 (en) 2001-09-26 2006-01-05 Sean Brynjelsen Preparation of submicron solid particle suspensions by sonication of multiphase systems
MXPA04002446A (es) 2001-09-26 2004-07-23 Baxter Int Preparacion de nanoparticulas de tamano de submicras mediante dispersion y remocion de la fase liquida o solvente.
US8852638B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2014-10-07 Durect Corporation Sustained release small molecule drug formulation
EP2167039B1 (fr) 2007-05-18 2016-09-28 Durect Corporation Formulations à dépôt amélioré
CN101801415B (zh) 2007-05-25 2015-09-23 Rb医药品有限公司 利培酮化合物的持续递送制剂
EP2986278A1 (fr) 2013-03-11 2016-02-24 DURECT Corporation Composition injectable à libération contrôlée comprenant un véhicule liquide à haute viscosité
US20140308352A1 (en) 2013-03-11 2014-10-16 Zogenix Inc. Compositions and methods involving polymer, solvent, and high viscosity liquid carrier material
CN104226191B (zh) * 2014-09-01 2017-04-19 南京理工大学 乙基纤维素多孔颗粒的常温制备方法
JP2021522224A (ja) * 2018-04-23 2021-08-30 グレイバグ ビジョン インコーポレイテッド 改善された連続式のマイクロ粒子の製造

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US4389330A (en) * 1980-10-06 1983-06-21 Stolle Research And Development Corporation Microencapsulation process
US5478564A (en) * 1990-02-22 1995-12-26 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. Preparation of microparticles for controlled release of water-soluble substances
FR2693905B1 (fr) * 1992-07-27 1994-09-02 Rhone Merieux Procédé de préparation de microsphères pour la libération prolongée de l'hormone LHRH et ses analogues, microsphères et formulations obtenues.
DE69327542T2 (de) * 1992-11-17 2000-07-06 Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. Ein antipsychotikum enthaltende mikrokugel zur verzögerten freisetzung und verfahren für ihre herstellung
EP0724433B1 (fr) * 1993-10-22 1998-12-30 Genentech, Inc. Procede de preparation de microspheres avec etape de sechage en lit fluidise
PT729353E (pt) * 1993-11-19 2002-07-31 Alkermes Inc Preparacao de microparticulas biodegradaveis contendo um agente biologicamente activo
DK0729357T3 (da) * 1993-11-19 2005-06-06 Janssen Pharmaceutica Nv Mikroindkapslede 1,2-benzazoler

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8263131B2 (en) 2000-12-22 2012-09-11 Baxter International Inc. Method for treating infectious organisms normally considered to be resistant to an antimicrobial drug
US8426467B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2013-04-23 Baxter International Inc. Colored esmolol concentrate
US8722736B2 (en) 2007-05-22 2014-05-13 Baxter International Inc. Multi-dose concentrate esmolol with benzyl alcohol

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DK1210942T3 (da) 2007-07-23
ES2284776T3 (es) 2007-11-16
DE69737515T2 (de) 2007-12-06
ES2183172T3 (es) 2003-03-16
EP1210942A3 (fr) 2004-05-26
PT904063E (pt) 2003-01-31
SI0904063T1 (en) 2003-02-28
ATE223206T1 (de) 2002-09-15
CY2318B1 (en) 2003-11-14
DE69737515D1 (de) 2007-05-03
MY118174A (en) 2004-09-30
ATE357218T1 (de) 2007-04-15
HK1047539B (zh) 2007-08-24
DK0904063T3 (da) 2002-12-16
HK1016884A1 (en) 1999-11-12
TR199802258T2 (en) 2001-11-21
PT1210942E (pt) 2007-06-26
HK1047539A1 (en) 2003-02-28
DE69715191T2 (de) 2003-04-30
DE69715191D1 (de) 2002-10-10
SI1210942T1 (sl) 2007-10-31
EP1210942A2 (fr) 2002-06-05

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